What’s the most affordable payroll software for a company with under 50 employees in India?

For a company under 50 employees, payroll software in India typically falls into three tiers: free plans covering basic attendance and leave; tools under roughly ₹5,000 per month offering core payroll; and full-suite HRMS in the ₹5,000–₹15,000 range. Affordability is best judged on cost per employee per month plus setup, not the headline price.

The genuinely cheapest option is rarely the most economical once you factor in compliance risk. A tool that automates EPF, ESI, TDS, and Professional Tax filings prevents penalties that dwarf the subscription saving. For under-50 teams, look for transparent per-employee pricing with no tier penalty when you cross 50, free or low-cost onboarding, and the ability to export your data if you switch later.